The public has until Dec. 18 to review Warren County’s proposed 2024 budget before the budget is approved.

The spending plan, according to a news release from the county last week, comes with a 1.25 mill increase that takes the county to its taxation limit until a countywide property reassessment takes effect. It’s available for review at the county courthouse – but nowhere else.

In 2024, that is simply unacceptable.

The budget should be available on the county’s website so the public who wants to review it can do so when it’s convenient for them rather than being limited to the county’s open office hours. It’s difficult for the public to come to meetings held at noon – when most people are working and not available for public comment. Expecting the public to take time out of the workday to review the budget is similarly difficult.

Warren County faces some serious budget issues. Use of ARPA funding to balance the budget means each year, the budget is essentially unbalanced. The county has used $3.4 million in ARPA funding in 2022 and 2023 to balance those budgets, while the amount needed to balance the 2024 budget won’t be finalized until 2025. Commissioners say they are taking steps to bring expenses and revenues back into balance – but it’s difficult for the public to check their work because it’s a pain to go and review the budget.

Municipal budgets aren’t something everyone is interested in reviewing. They certainly aren’t something most people will print out and place on their nightstand as light bedtime reading. But there are some who are interested and want to know more about the county’s finances. Taxes, after all, are one factor in people choosing to live here – or to move away. And the state of the city and county budget play a role in the improvements we can make on our own to make Warren County more attractive for newcomers.

Making budget information available shouldn’t cost much. In our view, the payoff more than outweighs the cost.